Director General of Social Rehabilitation Ensures Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Victims of Drug Abuse

JAKARTA (April 1st 2020) - Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat provided directions at a video conference with the Directorate of Social Rehabilitation for Victims of Drug Abuse. This meeting discussed the development of the directorate in implementing the COVID-19 pandemic response for victims of drug abuse.

In his direction, the Director General for Social Rehabilitation conveyed several important points related to overcoming the COVID-19 Pandemic. The first is related to the protection of hall employees in current conditions. "Make sure all employees can avoid the risks of being exposed to COVID-19. Self-protection is strengthened, especially those on the Frontliners who still interact directly with the beneficiaries (PM)," said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

The Director General for Social Rehabilitation also said that as long as the work can be carried out online, it can be done through the online meeting application only. "The need for work is done online only, for example, meetings with work partners online, just do it through the meeting application," explained the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

The second point, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation (Rehsos) directs that it is very important to accelerate the distribution of aid in current conditions, both operational assistance, service materials and other social assistance. "Ask the directorate to prioritize policies related to basic food assistance and nutritional assistance which I am proposing as well. This is for the benefit of our PMs," concluded the Director General of Social Rehabilitation.

The third point, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation conveyed that in accordance with the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs, several centers and the Trauma Protection Center (RPTC) will be used as quarantine places for Social Welfare Service Recipients (PPKS) suspected of being exposed to COVID-19. However, only the Balai that had no PM in it.

Director of Social Rehabilitation for Victims of Drug Abuse, Nur Soleh also reported that Balai Bambu Apus was one of the centers ready to be used as a quarantine place. In addition, Balai Baturaden has collaborated with the local government to become a quarantine place. However, until now it is still being communicated regarding capacity.

The fourth point, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation also directs it is important to make technical guidelines for the implementation of COVID-19 countermeasures with special specifications, namely the specifications for victims of drug abuse. This is adapted to the various PM centers. Of course the treatment of COVID-19 countermeasures for disabilities will be different from those of drug victims.

At the end of the meeting, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation (Rehsos) advised all employees to stay healthy, be introspective and patient and continue to apply social distancing to cut the spread of COVID-19.

A total of 27 participants attended this conference meeting. Participants consisted of the Director of Social Rehabilitation for Victims of Drug Abuse, Nur Soleh and his staff, all Heads of the Center for Victims of Drug Abuse and employees at the Secretariat of the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation.